The Press Box.

Blissfull Hall Takes Brown Jug

September 24, 1999|By Stephen Nidetz.

DELAWARE, Ohio — Less than an hour after fading down the stretch to lose his first shot at winning, Blissfull Hall redeemed himself with a strong closing quarter to take the Little Brown Jug in a raceoff Thursday and move within a win of capturing pacing's triple crown.

Blissfull Hall, winner of the Cane Pace earlier this month at Freehold, N.J., shoots for the triple crown and a $250,000 bonus in the Messenger Stakes on Oct. 16 at the Meadows at Meadow Lands, Pa.

It was the second year in a row Ron Pierce drove the Little Brown Jug winner. A year ago he got a late gift when Mike Lachance elected to drive Artiscape in the second heat instead of favored Shady Character. Pierce was given the ride and ended up winning while Artiscape finished fourth.